Loose-leaf binder



m 9,19'42. E. FJBUENGER Em 2,286,060

LOOSE LEAF BINDER Filed June 20, 1940 2 Sheets- Sheet 1 v INVENTORS.

Edward 125% 6 June 9, 1942. BUENGER ET AL I 2,286,060

LOOSE LEAF BINDER Filed June 20, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I N VET N TORS. laQuQ/d [15% war BY aha/2X85 YLQALOMS Patented June 9, 1942 LOOSE-LEAF BINDER Edward F. Buenger, Oak Park, and Charles V.

St. Louis, Chicago, Ill., assigncrs to Wilson- Jones Company, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Massachusetts Application June 20, 1940, Serial No. 341,432

1 Claim.

Thi invention relates to loose leaf binders of the type provided with a locking post, and particularly to the structure for releasing the locking post to permit expansion or separation of the back sections of the binder.

It is an object of this invention to provide a locking post with releasing means permanently secured thereto that will require a minimum of space, is simple and inexpensive to make and assemble in the binder, and is efficient in operation. Other objects of this invention will become apparent upon reading the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a loose leaf binder embodying the invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the back sections of the binder in disassembled positon;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary cross sectional view taken through the locking post;

Figure 4 is a cross sectional view taken along the line IVIV of Figure 3; and

Figure 5 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the post releasing means.

In the drawings, the reference numerals 2 and 3 indicate a pair of back sections to which cover members 4 and 5 are hinged in any suitable manner as indicated at 6 and I. The back sections are provided with sheet retaining posts 8 upon which a plurality of sheets 9 may be impaled. The posts 8 are illustrated as being telescopic, but it will be understood that any suitable type of sheet retaining posts may be used. The back section 2 is provided at its ends with flanges In, which serve to guide the back section 3 when the back sections are telescoped.

The back section 3 is provided with a male post section II which is adapted to be engaged by a female post section l2 mounted on the back section 2. The female post section I2 is provided at its free end with a taper l3 which serves to retain an inner member l4 inside the female post section l2.

The inner member [4 is provided with a plurality of circumferential recesses IS in each of which a ball I5 is positioned. The inner member I4 is provided with a shoulder l1 intermediate its length and a coil spring l8 encircles the narrow portion of the member l4 and exerts constant pressure against the shoulder I1 to urge the member l4 toward the tapered end l3 of the female post section. The taper l3 forces the balls l6 into contact with the male post section I I to lock the post sections against movement in an outward direction. In order to release the post sections from locking engagement so that they may be moved outwardly relative to each other, it is necessary to move the inner member I4 against the action of the spring [8 so that the balls l6 are moved out of contact with the tapered end l3 of the female post section I2.

The narrow portion of the member 14 projects through the top of the female post section 12 and extends a slight distance above the top wall [9 of the back section 2, as indicated at 20.

The section 20 is apertured transversely as indicated at 2|. A lever 22 ha one end extending through the aperture 21 and has an intermediate portion bent in U-shape as indicated at 24. A strap 25 welded or riveted to the top wall l9 engages the portion 24 of the lever and enables the portion 24 to serve as a fulcrum so that when the end 26 of the lever is lifted it lifts the member [4 a sufiicient distance to release the locking balls I 6 from looking engagement with the male post section II. When the end 26 is released the spring l8 forces the member l4 back into locking position.

While we have described a preferred embodiment of our invention in detail, it will be understood that the description thereof is illustrative, rather than restrictive, as many details may be modified or changed without departing from the spirit or scope of our invention. Accordingly, we do not desire to be restricted to the exact construction described, except as limited by the appended claim.

We claim:

In a loose leaf binder, a back section provided with a top wall, a female post section depending from said top wall, a locking member positioned in said female post section and extending above said top wall, and a U-shaped lever having the intermediate portion connecting the two legs of the U-member pivoted to said top wall, said lever having means projecting from the end of one leg engaging said locking member and the other leg of said U-member being liftable to release said locking member from locking engagement.

EDWARD F. BUENGER. CHARLES V. ST. LOUIS. 

